High tension sign insulator and attaching means therefor



Get, 29, 1940. 5 c M R 2,219,327

HIGH TENSION SIGN INSULATOR AND ATTACHING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR,

B 6.11mi.

HIS ATTORNEY.

Oct. 29. 19 s. c. MILLER HIGH TENSION SIGN INSULATOR AND ATTACHING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 5, 1956 s Shoots-Sheet 2 Mwu JmuelaMi flfg BY HIS ATTORNEY.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 mvENToR,

HIS ATTORNEY S. C. MILLER Oct. 29, 1940.

HIGH TEISION SIGN INSULATOR AND ATTACHING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Oct. .5, 193a Patented Got. 29, 11949 uui'ra srAT'as rarer HIGH TENSION SIGN INSULATOR AND AT- TACHING MEANS THEREFOR Samuel C. Miller, New York, N. Y.

Application Qctober 5, 1936, Serial No. 103,964

11 Claims. (Cl. 173-339) My invention relates to an insulator construcelectrical installations for illuminants of the char tion and attaching means therefor, particularly acter described. useful in connection with high tension illumi- Thus, my invention has for its object the pronants, such as neon tube assemblies. More parvision of insulators permitting the employment ticularly my invention relates to insulators of of glass of the character mentioned, While res the character and for the purpose mentioned, taining all the efficient operating conditions atin the form of housings or collars and attachtained by this form of insulating material. ing means therefor, particularly where the insu- To attain the aforementioned objects and such lating material constitutes glass of the low exfurther objects as may appear herein or be herepansion bore-silicate type, such as disclosed in inafter pointed out, I make reference to the ac- 10 Sullivan and Taylor, Patent No. 1,304,623. companying drawings, forming a part hereof, in

While glass, specifically that of the type above which i referred to, provides an excellent insulator, of Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of one proper dielectric qualities and density or freedom embodiment of my invention, of an insulator from porosity, its use for purposes contemplated and attaching means; is by me is not commercially feasible because this Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 22 glass in its formation for insulators must be of Figure l; shaped at extremely high temperatures by cast- Figure 3 is a fra mentary sectional View of ing operations utilizing a plunger type of core. another embodiment of my invention;

Accordingly, the incorporation into the mold Fi r 4 i a fr men ry section t k n on 20 parts of mold configurations which are to serve the line 4-4 of Figure 3; as the means for attaching the insulators in Figure 5 is a perspective w O t e c position, of the character heretofore employed, ing e e shown in Figures 3 and 4; is not suitable where'g'lass of the character re- Fi ure 6 i a fr m n ry secti nal view of ferredio constitutes the insulator material. another embodiment of my invention, illustrat- 25 In the utilization of insulators of the character ing also the means Of attachment;

described, which are arranged to be assembled Fi re '7 is a c i n ken on the line 1-! in connection with sign frames of the neon tube of Fi u e type, these frames frequently take on consideraure 8 s a fragmentary sect onal Y W 0f ble proportions and the attachment of insulators another embodiment of my invention; 30 necessitates the cooperation of two men--one Figure 9 is a p V Of a e, disclosing to locate theinsulator from the front face of e attaching means prior to t positioning of the frame and the other to fasten it from the the insulator shown in Figure 8;

rear face of the frame. Figure 10 is a section taken on the line Ill-I0 Accordingly, one phase of my invention resides of Figure 35 in the provision of fastening means for insulau e 11 is a fragmentary Sectional View Of tors of the character described, which are capan h r embodiment f my inven ion in c nne ble of attachment from the front face of the tiOn h a w electrode housing insulator;

sign frame and the location and fastening of F e 12 s a ec o ta en on the l ne the same from that position. of Figures 11 and 13; 40

A further object of my invention resides in Figure 13 is a plan view of Figure 11; the provision of attaching means for insulators Figu e 14 is a perspective View Of the attachwhich permit of front face attachment and loing element illustrated in connection with Figcation, and of such form and construction to ures 11 to 13.

permit the employment of glass of the character aking refer to the drawings, p

described. larly Figures 1 and 2, I have illustrated an A further object of my invention is to provide electrode housing insulator ID. This may prefa form of insulator for the purposes described, erably be of the general configuration referred to. employing glass and attaching means permitin my Patent No. 2,046,960, granted July '7, 1936, 5

ting the location and attachment of the insulator in which the insulator housing serves as mountfrom the front face of the sign framework, 'avoiding means for the terminal and contact support ing the introduction of attaching means which of a high voltage electrical illuminating sign, will reduce the efliciency of the insulator for its such as a. neon tube sign and which, with the intended purpose, particularly in high tension exception of the attaching means herein more 5 Specifically described, may incorporate the features of such housingin all other respects.

Accordingly, the housing mentioned is arranged to dispose a contact terminal II opposite to a 5 central boring I2, formed in the mouth I3 of the housing. Adjacent to the mouth I3, there is provided a peripheral flange I4. Inwardly spaced from the flange I4, there is formed a second abutment flange I5, leaving a neck I8 between 10 the aforementioned flanges.

' The insulator just described is arranged to be attached to the frame I1 of a neon tube construction and this is provided with an orifice S, the dimensions whereof permit passage therethrough of the abutment flange I5 but are less than the maximum dimension of the flange I4, whereby this may abut the walls of the orifice I8.

The general configuration of the insulator housing thus described is particularly amenable to casting operations where glass is employed. Thus, the plunger type of core mechanism used in connection with molds for casting may readily be employed in that there are no fine or sharp corners, prohibitive in casting glass of the heat resisting type. The interior as well as the exterior configuration of the insulator just described being of extremely simple contour, the mold necessary for casting the glass may be used repeatedly, to make such glass available commercially for the intended purpose.

However, the simplicity of configuration, eliminating sharp corners, orifices. makes the attachment of this type of construction unsuitable for known types of attaching devices, especially in accordance with the primary objective of my inpast the extension 22 and the camming portion and latch 23, looking the electrode housing in position in respect of the" frame I1, in a concentric position with the orifice I8, and at the same time giving a resilient mounting. This, it will be ob- 5 served, requires no assistance to effect the attachment at. a point to the rear face of the frame It will also be observed that by the provision of clips of 'the character described, at spaced 10 points, the minimum amount of metal is extend-.

ed beyond the frame I1, around the insulator housing, leaving a substantial clearance between the neck IS, the flange I4 and the orifice I8 of the frame, as will be more clearly apparent from 15 an inspection of Figure 2.

Such construction makes for high insulating efiiciency, in that when the sign is exposed to the weather, rainwater can readily drain off through the space between the insulator and the wall of 20 the orifice I8.

In Figure 3 I have illustrated another embodiment of my invention in which like parts have been given similar numbers, and substantially equivalent parts have been similarly identified 25 with the letter a.

In this construction, the insulator, in the form of a housing Illa or collar, where the same is severed at a point along the line 0 is provided adjacent the mouth I with a flange Ida, leaving a peripheral groove between the flange adjacent the material I31: and the flange Ila. Beyond the flange I la, the insulator is formed with a smooth faced neck I 6a. The flange I la is provided with 35 cutouts 24 terminating in the plane of the neck A v entlonrtep d a h em n p mi n I6a, as will be more clearly apparent from an the insertion of the ins a o llfiieTfrom v'hHnspe a front face of the frame I1, through the orifice I8, without the assistance of someone to position 40 the attaching means from/mercy face of the frame I1, as is required in connection witl@e attaching collar shown in my patent aforementioned.

Accordingly, having provided the insulator member embodying the elements already=-described, either in a housing adapted to supportthe contact terminal assembly II or severed at an intermediate point along the line 0, forming the collar, I will now refer to the attaching device contemplated by me.

For this purpose, I provide a plurality of clips I9, having an upper branch 20 and a lower branch 2I, which are arranged to span the outer and inner faces of the frame I1 and frictionally contactthe same when disposed to engage the side walls of the orifice I8. These clips are made of spring metal, such as tempered steel or phosphor branze, to provide the requisite resiliency between the branches 20 and 2| in the loop-shaped section provided by these members. These clips include a lower section 22, by refiexively bending the sheet metal strip. Additionally, acamming portion 23 is formed byagain refiexively bending the strip, as will be more clearly apparent from an inspection of Figure 1.

V Thus, the clips provide orifice 'wall engaging branches "and 2I, an extension 22 and a camming or latching portion 23.

With clips of the character described provided and attached at equi-distant points on the frame in respect of the orifice I8, the housing Il may be disposed into attaching position by passing the lower end adjacent'the' contact terminal II, through the orifice I8 and the clips positioned as 6 described. The abutment flange I5 will then snap With such construction, I then provide a ringshaped attaching device 25, more clearly illustrated in Figure 5, separate and apart from the 40 assembly. "This attaching device may be formed fromspiing wire forming a single member or twin sections, if severed adjacent the point A shown in Figure 5.

Thgring-shaped portion 25 is arranged to be 45 disposed exteriorly of the insulator between the fiangesflia and Ila and includes downwardly deDendentECtiQQiQdirected in the slot 24 previously described so as to have these sections lie in substantial parallelism witmtfieghey sections 26 are provided with latching portion 21, which extend laterally for a small distance, as will be hereinfurther' described. Beyond the latching portions 21 there are provided an extension including a bearing portion 28.

The dependent sections 26, the latching portions 21, and the bearing portion 28 are preferably bowed downwardly to extend these sections for a distance greater than the interior dimension of the orifice I8, spacing the sections 60 from the neck .I6a. However, the bearing portion 28 is inwardly directed to engage the neck Ila, thereby providing a resilient bowed portion between the point where the sections 26 engage the insulator above the flange Ila and where the bearing portions 28 engage the neck ISa.

, The latching portions 21 are disposed laterally so that when the attaching means are amxed in positionupon the insulator, the assembly, comprising the insulator, may be forced. through the 70 frame I1 by passing the same through the orifice I... During this movement, the walls of the orifice will conatrict the sections '2' against the neck m; until the latching portions 21 have been through beyond the inner face of the materially larger than the orifice frame I! and thereupon expand to engage the walls of the orifice l8 adjacent the inner face.

The insulator and attaching device just described have substantially all the features embodied in the same, as described in the prior construction, so far as the elimination of casting difficulties for the insulator. It will be understood, however, that though I have described the insulator and the attaching means as having particular novelty where the insulator material is made of glass, in that this is readily adapted for commercial casting operations where glass is employed, the features of my insulator and attaching devices may equally be employed with other insulating materials, such as porcelain, hard rubber and other insulating materials.

.In Figures 11 to 14 I have illustrated my invention embodying substantially the identical attaching means illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, where applied for use in connection with mounting a plurality of electrodes, and in these figures, I have illustrated what may generally be referred to as a twin electrode housing insulator.

Thus, it will be observed that an elongated insulator receptacle llld is provided, and except for the elongated contour of general oval shape in cross-section and the corresponding contour of the orifice in the frame ll, all other parts are substantially identical as the construction and attaching means shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, and accordingly, the corresponding parts in Figures 11 to 14 have been designated with the same reference numerals as in Figures 3, 4 and 5, followed by the subscript d.

It will be observed that in the embodiments illustrated in Figures ll to 13, substantially the same features as regards the configuration of the insulator and attaching means are involved, and are particularly novel for the so-called twin electrode housing insulator, where this member is made of glass of the type herein described and for efficiency in operation, as well as in attaching the insulator housing of this configuration.

In Figures 6 and 7 I have illustrated another embodiment of my invention, carrying out to a certain degree, the objectives heretofore emphasized in respect of the configuration of the insulator and the attaching means.

In this embodiment, the insulator housing lflb has formed adjacent its mouth an outer flange I31; and an inner flange Mb tapering abruptly into the neck of the housing, adjacent which portion there is formed a screw-threaded portion 29. From this point downward, the exterior of the insulator tapers gradually, forming an exterior wall to the base of the insulator adjacent the contact terminal mounting means.

The pitch of the taper is such that the widest portion of the insulator may pass through the orifice I 8 formed in. the frame l1.

In connection with this construction, I provide a collar 30 which is split longitudinally at 3|. This collar is formed with an outer flange 32 I8. Spaced from the flange '32 there is formed an inner flange 33, thereby providing a neck portion 34.

Beyond the flange 33, the collar is embossed with a screw-threaded section tapered to form with the threaded portion 29 on the insulator. In

installing the insulator Mb, the collar 39 is firstv positioned into the orifice l8, as more clearly shown in dotted lines in Figure 6, passing the threaded portion 30 through. the orifice until the inner flange 33 has passed theinner face of the frame I1, and the outer flange 32 abuts the outer face of the frame ll. In this position, the insulator is then disposed through the collar until the screw-threaded portion 29 engages the threaded portion of the collar. Screw-threading the insulator in relation to the collar progressively moves the insulator through the orifice and through the collar, accompanied by a spreading of the collar, due to the tapered configuration of the screw-threaded portion 29 on the insulator, to the limit that the inner flange 32 is expanded to engage the walls of the orifice I8 in the final position, as shownin Figures 6 and 7. It will be understood that some instrumentality, such as a screw driver, may be inserted at the split portion 3| of the collar to hold the collar against relative rotation during the time that the insulator is rotated to effect the attaching action.

It will be observed that the construction in connection with Figures 6 and '7 embodies the features heretofore described, in respect of the insulator, by reason of its simple contours, anal:- ing this construction particularly amenable to employ glass as an insulating material.

Furthermore, attachment of this insulator may be effected through the front face of the frame without requiring any assistance at a point to the inner or rear face of the frame ll.

It will also be observed that while I have described the insulator mo of the general contour forming a receptacle or housing of the type illustrated in my aforementioned patent, the insulator may be formed as a collar by severing the portion adjacent the point indicated by the arrow 0.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10, I have illustrated a still further embodiment of my invention, wherein the collar llIc having a boring or central orifice He is shaped exteriorly thereof to provide a flange 14c beyond which the collar extends into a neck portion Ific, terminating into a screwthreaded portion 290. It is preferred that the rear walls of the threads 25 be more abrupt than the forward thread walls 36, for purposes which will more clearly appear as this description proceeds.

Beyond the last convolution of the screwthreaded portion 290, the exterior wall of the insulator is generally cylindrical or gradually tapers to its co-terminus B, where a collar is formed, though this may extend for an additional length to form a receptacle or housing, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 8 beyond the point B.

With an insulator of the character illustrated in Figure 8, I provide attaching means in the form of a spring clip 31 having spaced bowed branches 38 and 39 connected together by a loop 40. The clip 3'! may be attached to the rear face of the frame l1 by a screw or similar attaching member 4|, engaging the orifice 42 in the frame ll, thereby holding the clip 31 with the branches 38 and 39 transversely of the orifice l8. It will be understood that the clip-31 is formed of spring Wire, with the branches 38 and 39 normally disposed towards each other for a distance materially less than the diameter of the orifice l8, but 'sufliciently spaced apart to permit insertion of the base of the insulator I00. When the clip 31 is disposed as described, I may affix the insulator I00 in position by passing its base through the orifice l8 until the screw-threaded portion 290 engages the branches 38 and 39. A rotation by pressing the insulator lllc to its full limit until the flange c engages the front or outer way, I have formed the threads 29c so that the rear threaded wall is more abrupt than the for ward threaded wall of the screw-threaded portion 290. Thus,'the forward threaded wall of the screw-threaded portion 290 may permit the insulator to act as camming-portions in pressing the insulator into position between the branches 38 and 39, without rotation, yet permitting the seating of the branches 38 and 39 substantially flush with the inner face of the frame l1, upon rotation of the insulator.

It will thus be observed that though the construction described in Figures 8 and '9 may require a preliminary attachment of the attaching clip 3'!v in position on the rear face of the frame I1, thereafter, the insulator may be positioned from the front face of the frame II, without any assistance, at a point from the rear face of the frame.

However, in all of the embodiments illustrated, the configuratiotn 'of the insulator is particularly amenable to casting operations employing.

1. A high voltage, electrode insulator assem-.

bly for combination with a sign frame and insertable and attachable solely from the front face thereof through an orifice in said frame, said frame forming one element of the combination, a glass insulator forming another element, said insulator being formed adjacent one end with a flange larger than said orifice and with the other end thereof arranged to pass through said orifice, a second flange formed on said insulator, the space therebetween forming a seat, and attaching means thereon to lie along the exterior Walls of said insulator, said attaching means having a portion for engaging one of the elements and a portion for engaging the other element to hold said elements in opposed frictional and resilient. engagement, and said attaching means having an additional portion which is accessible from the front face of the frame for locating the said attaching means and for removal of the insulator from the assembly, said last mentioned portion being disposed in said seat.

2. A high voltage electrode insulator assembly for combination with a sign frame and insertable and attachable solely from the front facethereof through an orifice in said frame, said frame forming one element of the combination, a glass insulator forming another .element, said insulator being formed adjacent one end with a flange larger than said orifice and with the other end thereof arranged to pass through said orifice, a second flange spaced from said first mentioned flange, the space intervening between said flanges forming a seat, and attaching meanscomprising substantially arcuatelyshaped members disposed in said seat and including downwardly depending portions, said downwardly depending portions being formed with latching members engaging the inner face of said frame whereby the insulator and attaching means may be aflixed to said frame.

3. A high voltage electrode insulator assembly for combination with a sign frame and insertable and attachable solely from the front face thereof through an orifice in said frame, said frame forming one element of the combination, a glass insulator forming another element, said insulator being formed adjacent one end with a flange larger than said orifice and with the other end thereof arranged to pass through said orifice, a second flange spaced from said first flange providing a seat in the intervening space between said flanges, longitudinally formed slots formed in said first flange, attaching means comprising a resiliently formed ring shaped member positioned in said seat and including dependent portions extending through said slots, said dependent portions being outwardly resiliently bowed and including a bearing portion engaging the outer wall of said insulator,said dependent portions being formed at a point intermediate the ends thereof with outwardly directed latching portions arranged toengage the interior face of the frame upon passage of said dependent portions and insulator through said orifice.

.4. A high voltage electrode insulator assembly for combination with a sign frame and insertable and attachable solely from the front face therelarger than said orifice and with the other end thereof arranged to pass through said orifice, a second flange spaced from said first flange forming therebetween an annular slot, spaced attaching means one end whereof engages the second mentioned flange and including portions engaging said. annular slot to be held seated therein, the opposite ends of said attaching means being exposed to extend from the front face of the frame through the orifice of said frame and including a portion engaging the interior face of said frame.

5. A high voltage electrode insulator assembly for combination with a sign frame and insertable and attachable solely from the front face thereof through an orifice in said frame, the combination therewithof a glass insulator, said insulator being formed adjacent one end thereof with a flange, a second flange larger than said orifice and closely spaced from said first flange to provide between said flanges an annular slot, longitudinally disposed slots in said second flange, and attaching means having a portion disposed in the annular slot abutting said first flange'and having another portion insertable through said orifice and through said longitudinal slot and resiliently and frictionally engaging said frame on its in-' terior face.

6. A high voltage electrode insulator assembly for combination with a sign frame and insertable and attachable solely from the front face thereof through an orifice in said frame, an insulator formed with a flange adjacent one end thereof, another flange adjacent thereto of a size larger than said orifice of said frame, said flanges being amenable to glass casting operations and located along the exterior wall of said insulator to provide therebetween an annular groove, said second mentioned flange being formed with longitudinally directed slots, said flanges, the groove formed therebetween and said slots, cooperating to form seats for attaching means, a portion of which attaching means is seated in said annular groove, another portion of said attaching means being disposed through said slots and to extend along said insulator for engagi g the interior face of said frame to hold said insulator and frame against displacement in relation to each other.

7. A high voltage electrode insulator assembly for combination with a sign frame and insertable and attachable solely from thefront face thereof, through an orifice in said frame, comprising in combination an insulator formed with a pair of spaced annular flanges, contoured to be amenable to glass forming operations, said flanges being consecutively and closely spaced from the front end of said insulator, the flange farthest from the front end being larger than the orifice of said frame and cooperating with resilient at taching members for attaching the insulator to the frame and arranged to lie on the exterior wall of said insulator for passage with said insulator through said orifice, the space between said flanges serving as a seat for said attaching members.

8. In a high voltage sig'n construction including a supporting frame having an orifice therein, an electrode insulator assembly including an insulater of surface contour amenable to glass forming operations, one end whereof is tapered and insertable from the front face of said frame through said orifice, the opposite end including closely adjacent thereto in consecutively arranged positions, a seat and an annular fiange larger than said orifice, and an attaching device comprising a peripheral ring-shaped portion maintained against displacement in said seat and for carrying said attaching device into attaching and releasing position from the front face of said frame and resiliently distended extensions on said portion arranged to extend through said frame from the front face to the other side thereof and including latching portions for engaging the walls of saidv orifice on the interior face of said frame.

9. In a high voltage sign construction including a supporting frame having an orifice therein, an electrode insulator assembly including an insulator. one end whereof is insertable from the front face of said frame through said orifice, the opposite end including closely adjacent thereto in consecutively arranged positions, a seat and an annular flange of surface contour amenable to glass forming operations, saidfiangebeinglargerthansaidorifice,andan attaching device-comprising aperipheral ringin said seat and for carrying said attaching device into attaching and releasing position from the front face of said frame, said attaching device comprising resiliently distended extensions on said ring-shaped. portion including latching portions engaging the walls of said orifice on the inerior face of said frame.

10. In a high voltage sign construction including a supporting frame having an orifice therein, an electrode insulator assembly including an insulator, one end whereof is insertable from the front face of said frame through said orifice, the portions adjacent the opposite end including a plurality of consecutively arranged annular protuberances forming spaced flanges amenable to glass forming operations and of which flanges the one most inwardly positioned being larger than saidorifice, the spacing between said flanges forming a seat in which an attaching device is disposed and which device comprises a resilient memberadapted to lie adjacent the exterior wall of said insulator and. including a portion enagin the interior face of said frame and arranged to extend from the frame face to the other side thereof and formed with portions to engage said insulator, the larger of said flanges holding the insulator against projection through the orifice of the frame on the exterior face, the other of said flanges serving as a seat for en-= gaging a portion of said attaching device to hold said insulator against relative movement in respect of said frame.

11. In a high voltage sign construction, an electrode insulator assembly including an insulator interiorly formed to house a plurality of sign electrodes, the exterior surface adjacent one end whereof is insertable from the front face of said frame through an orifice of elonbeing larger than said orifice, the spacing be- 5 tween said flanges forming an exterior seat in which an attaching device is disposed and lies on the exterior wall of said insulator, said de vice being formed with a part arranged to ens ge the interior surface of said frame as the g assembly passes through said orifice, the limits of movement of said assembly through said 011-' fice being determined by said larger and inwardly disposed flange, and the exteriorly disposed position of said seat making said attaching device accessible from the front face of said frame for removal of the assembly.

mailman. 

